Binding and Loosing of Satan

I think we've been understanding a few things about the times of Satan being loosed and his binding – incorrectly.

For example, why is it that when Satan was loosed (prior to the cross in 33 A.D.) that some people were able to be saved?

That is, if the fact that Satan was loosed meant that he could work to hinder salvation, then how was it that anyone at all become saved? If Satan could hinder many from being saved, why couldn't he also hinder the few who were?

Also, how is it that Satan seemingly possessed this power to prevent people from being saved? Isn't it true that God saved His elect out of all generations and that Satan was powerless to stop Him from doing so?

Another question: since Satan was loosed in the Old Testament, thus hindering salvation and supposedly preventing great numbers of people from being saved, then how did God save so many of the Ninivites through the preaching of Jonah?

Additionally, we know that it was at the time of the Great Tribulation that God loosed Satan to bring spiritual destruction to the world's churches – and during the second part of that tribulation the Lord saved a great multitude of people outside of the churches. Well, since Satan was loosed at that time – how did they become saved?

Here's the real question: if it was necessary for Satan to be bound at the cross in order for salvation to really kick in on the day of Pentecost (3,000 became saved), then why is it that at the time of God's greatest work of salvation (the second part of the Great Tribulation period), Satan is not bound but loosed?

Curious, isn't it.

It raises some other questions: was Satan bound at the cross? Or was he bound at the foundation of the world and the cross was a demonstration of his binding?

Secondly, is it possible that Satan was bound in some way on the date of May 21, 2011? And that the spoiling of the strong man's house (by One stronger than him) will take place over the course of this prolonged judgment period of time? As we are seeing some interesting Scriptures begin to fall into place regarding the drawing of God's elect during the time of the final judgment.

Some things for us to consider and pray about.